Mark your calendars and plan to attend the MU Extension Festival fundraiser set for 6 to 9 p.m. June 15 at the Rogersville City Park, 270 County Line Road, Rogersville.

All proceeds will go to support the operation of the University of Missouri Extension Center in Webster County, which provides unbiased, science-based educational advice, programming and services to county residents.

The signature activity at this festival will be the Cow Plop raffle, where participants for $5 can rent a five-foot-square plot for a chance to win a $500 cash prize. A maximum of 1000 plots will be available to rent in the arena, tickets will be randomly assigned to the grid, and if the Jersey cow plops a pie on your plot, you win. Tickets are available now at the Webster County Extension Center, 800 S. Marshall Street in Marshfield, printable from online at http://extension.missouri.edu/webster, or June 15 at the festival prior to 7 p.m.

Free burgers or pulled pork sandwiches will be available, with side items, desserts and drinks at $1 each.

While waiting for the cow to plop her pie, eventgoers can bid on silent auction items that include wood crafts, bull semen and gift cards. Kids can test their navigation skills through the fire department smoke house. Winners of the cakeless cake walk will receive gift cards for sweets, and everyone can buy a throw to get well-known residents wet in the dunk tank. Educational displays will also be on hand to view.

The Webster County Extension Council and University of Missouri Extension sponsor this event.

"Taxpayer funding for years has not kept pace with inflation and rising operational costs. Funding from county appropriations currently amounts to just $1.27 per Webster County resident per year. That's why it has become necessary to also rely on private giving, user fees, and grants to continue our educational services and programs the people of Webster County depend on," said Ray Schooley, Webster County MU Extension Council chairman.

For more information, contact the Webster County Extension Center at 417-859-2044, by email at websterco@missouri.edu, or download the informational flyer and raffle tickets from extension.missouri.edu/webster. Donations are tax-deductible, and checks can be made payable to Webster County Extension. See extension.missouri.edu/webster/giving.aspx for ways to provide your support.